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Marrakech – Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a firm condemnation Saturday of what it called an “abject” Iranian missile attack targeting five Arab Gulf states, describing the strikes as a “flagrant violation of national sovereignty” of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.
Rabat declared “full solidarity” with the targeted Arab states, backing all legitimate measures they take to defend their security and protect the safety of their citizens and residents. Morocco also condemned the attacks as an “unacceptable assault” on regional stability.
The Moroccan statement comes as the broader Middle East descends into its most serious military crisis in years.
The United States and Israel launched what Trump described as “major combat operations” against Iran early Saturday morning, striking multiple cities, including the capital, Tehran. Iran retaliated swiftly, firing ballistic missiles at US military bases across the Gulf and at Israel.
Tehran confirmed targeting Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Jordan also intercepted two Iranian ballistic missiles. All four Gulf states said their air defence systems successfully intercepted incoming missiles, though falling debris killed one civilian in Abu Dhabi.
Morocco cut diplomatic ties with Iran in May 2018, accusing Tehran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of supporting, training, and arming the Polisario Front separatist group through the Iranian embassy in Algiers.
The “pre-emptive” assault – named “Operation Epic Fury” by the United States and “Lion’s Roar” by Israel – targeted areas linked to Iran’s military and political leadership in Tehran, including sites near Supreme Leader Khamenei’s compound, the Ministry of Intelligence, the Ministry of Defence, and the Atomic Energy Organization.
Read also: No Deal Met in US, Iran Nuclear Talks as Threat of War Looms Large
Both Washington and Tel Aviv framed the strikes as aimed at eliminating what they called an existential threat, with Netanyahu stating the operation would “continue as long as necessary.”
Explosions were also reported in Kermanshah, Tabriz, Isfahan, Qom, and other cities across Iran. Authorities advised nearly 10 million Tehran residents to evacuate.
Iran’s IRGC declared that all US and Israeli assets in the region were legitimate targets, vowing to continue strikes “relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated.” An Israeli strike on a girls’ elementary school in the southern Iranian city of Minab killed at least 53 students, according to Iranian state media.
The attacks derailed indirect US-Iran nuclear negotiations in Geneva, where Oman’s Foreign Minister had described a potential deal as “within reach.” Oman urged Washington “not to get sucked in further,” saying “this is not your war.” The UN rights chief called for immediate de-escalation, warning that civilians “always pay the ultimate price.”
Globally, France, Germany, and the UK condemned Iran’s retaliatory strikes while calling for a return to negotiations. Russia condemned the US-Israeli attack as “unprovoked.”
Several major carriers, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, and Royal Air Maroc, suspended flights across the region, as multiple countries closed their airspace until further notice.
